Technical Abstract:
Seasonal population dynamics of the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in corn was monitored weekly using pheromone traps between May and September in 2005 and 2006. Ten traps were used per field (ca. one acre), and three fields were used each year. The number of stink bugs captured by the traps differed significantly between the two years. Two population peaks were observed in 2005, while only one peak was observed in 2006. In addition, 16 adults per trap (n = 30) were recorded at the peak in early June of 2005, while 9.1 adults per trap (n = 30) were at the peak in late May of 2006. Although the pooled data showed that the number of the brown stink bugs captured in the traps was the same between edge and inside of the fields, the percentage of females captured at the edge (63%) was significantly greater than the inside (55%). Grid sampling (3x3 m) of pre-harvest kernel damage showed the E. servus-damaged kernels were clustered in the corn fields. However, kernel damage was not consistently correlated with either kernel aflatoxin level or trap location at pre-harvest.
Acknowledgments: We are indebted to P. Tapp and J. C. Mullis (USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, Tifton, GA) for their assistance in completion of the study.